Involved in a three-way battle with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Lens for the 2025/26 Ligue 1 title, second-placed Marseille were forced to stand and admire an early goal of the season contender in the 14th minute.
Taking a page out of Lionel Messi’s playbook, Toulouse striker Emersonn only had one thing on his mind. Charging down the wing with serious intent, his electric acceleration left three Marseille defenders playing catch-up before still having the composure to steer the ball into the bottom corner, via the post, beyond Geronimo Rulli.
Surprisingly, Marseille were feeling the opposite effect of beating Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League phase in midweek.
It took until the 30th minute for the hosts to make their first venture towards goal, but disappointingly, Timothy Weah fired off target. Roberto De Zerbi’s side’s attacking premise didn’t improve before half-time, as Toulouse completed the opening 45 minutes without having to break a defensive sweat.
In response to this side’s ineffectual first-half performance, De Zerbi introduced highly-regarded forward Robinio Vaz, who had already scored four league goals this season.
But it would be Ligue 1 leading marksman this season, Mason Greenwood, who registered Marseille’s first meaningful effort on target after 49 minutes. It was, however, a routine save for Guillaume Restes to make.
The Toulouse goalkeeper was forced into making a more distinguished save three minutes later, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s effort from just outside the area brilliantly redirected away from the back of the net.
With a shock already on the cards, it was nearly mission completed for Toulouse as Aron Donnum’s audacious chip beat Rulli, but not the underside of the bar. Frustratingly for the visitor, Marseille were level in disastrous circumstances in the 66th minute.
Stranded in no-man’s land after a breakdown in communication with Djibril Sidibe, Restes could only watch on as Igor Paixao completed the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net.
It appeared Marseille had completed their marvellous comeback eight minutes later, as Hojbjerg headed home Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s delightful delivery.
However, there was late heartbreak for the hosts as Santiago Hidalgo planted a bullet 92nd-minute header past Rulli to secure a share of the spoils for Toulouse.
PSG’s defeat at Monaco earlier today gave Marseille the chance to go top of Ligue 1, so two dropped points will now feel even more demoralising.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Marseille)